Not every prayer has to be long or perfectly said.
Sometimes it’s just a few words. Sometimes it’s just “help” or “thank you.”
I’ve been realizing that those small moments of turning toward God might matter more than I thought.
3 Likes
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Rom_8:26
Likewise – Probably a reference back to Rom_8:11; and Rom_8:16; and to the work of the Spirit.
The Spirit also helps in our weakness – The word pictures someone else with greater strength stepping in and helping with the burden that lies too heavily upon our own shoulders.
For we do not know for what we should pray – Our sight is limited to the present and cannot see the future which may not enable us to pray for the right thing.
Example: In Act_12:5 when the church prayed for Peter, they apparently did not pray for his deliverance from prison since they are surprise Act_12:13-16 but probably since James had been beheaded Act_12:1-3 they prayed that Peter would be faithful and not recant and deny Jesus as he had done when Jesus was arrested.
One way the Spirits helps us, is by teaching us to pray. Paul in his many letters give examples, instructions, and requests which help us in forming our prayers and petitions, etc.
makes intercession – The Greek compound word occurs only here (huperentugchanei). Like an advocate in a court of justice. " It is a picturesque word of rescue by one who “happens on” (entugchanei) one who is in trouble and “in his behalf” (huper) pleads" his case. - Robertson.
There is a twofold intercession, one of Christ, of which we read, Rom_8:34; the other of the Spirit, of which this place speaks. See Eph_6:18 Jud_1:20.
for us with groanings which cannot be uttered – see Rom_8:23, it is our groaning, not the Holy Spirit’s.
This may be with inward sighs and groans which cannot be expressed by words. A man may cry to God and never utter a word. See Exo_14:15; 1Sa_1:13.
This communication is described as “groans” because it conveys to the Father not only our thoughts but also the deep feelings associated with them. - CPNIV
… the Spirit himself intercedes for them in and through their unspeakable groans (cf. Rom_8:23). - ESVSB
See 1Jn_2:1 for word study on Advocate, Comforter, Paraclete
“the Spirit also helps” This is a present middle (deponent) indicative. The verb has a double compound, syn (cf. Rom_8:28) and anti. It s best translated “take hold with.” This term is found only here and in Luk_10:40. The whole Triune God is for believers. The Father sent the Son to die on mankind’s behalf (cf. Joh_3:16), and He now also intercedes for us (cf. Rom_8:34; Heb_7:25; Heb_9:24; 1Jn_2:1). The Spirit brings fallen mankind to Christ and forms Christ in them (cf. Joh_16:8-15). However, the verb “helps,” which meant “to take hold of with someone,” implied that believers also have a part in an appropriating the Spirit’s help (intercession).
“weakness” This noun is used by Paul in several senses (BAGD, p. 115).
- bodily weakness or sickness, 2Co_11:30; 2Co_12:5; 2Co_12:9-10; Gal_4:13; 1Ti_5:23
- human situation, 1Co_15:43; 2Co_13:4
- figure for
a. timidity, 1Co_2:3
b. judgment, Rom_6:19
c. lack of religious insight, Rom_8:26
The verb is used in similar ways. - bodily weakness, Php_2:26-27; 2Ti_4:20
- human situation, Rom_8:3; 2Co_11:21; (note Mat_8:17; quote of Isa_53:4)
- figure for
a. religious or moral weakness, Rom_14:2; 1Co_8:11-12
b. weak in faith, Rom_4:19; Rom_14:1
c. fainthearted and fearful, 2Co_11:29
Remember context determines meaning within a semantic parameter. Lexicons only list the possible connotations and usages.
“the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words”
Believers groan in their fallenness and the Spirit groans in intercession for them. The Spirit within the redeemed prays for them, and Jesus at the right hand of God also prays for them, (cf. Rom_8:27; Rom_8:34; Heb_7:25; Heb_9:24; 1Jn_2:1). This intercession empowers the believer to pray (cf. Rom_8:15; Gal_4:6). This passage in context does not refer to the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues, but the Spirit’s intercession to the Father on believers’ behalf.
NASB, NRSV “too deep for words”
NKJV “which cannot be uttered”
TEV “that words can not express”
NJB “that cannot be put into words”
This word is the common word for “speaking,” “language” (cf. 1Co_13:1) with the alpha privative. It occurs only here in the NT. Another form of the word is used in Mark’s Gospel for dumb/mute people (cf. Mar_7:37; Mar_9:17; Mar_9:25).
You are in good company @ellenvera. Especially for those incarcerated.
J.
This got me to thinking, does God hear the prayers of a mute? yes because though not spoken He knows their heart.
Can someone deaf know Him? just because they cannot hear matters not they can see His glory.
can someone blind have faith? yes for they can hear His good word.
All prayers from all of His children, great or small, said silently or proclaimed loudy, be they long or short, I believe He hears and knows them all.
Thank you for this reminder. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking I need to pray in a certain way or for a certain amount of time. Just like every other aspect of faith, in prayer God meets us where we are.
@ellenvera boy did you nail that one on the head! Most days my prayers are simply “I’m sorry” and “thank you”.
thank you for sharing this